I made a visit to Yin Ji Chang Fen (銀記腸粉) in North Quincy at 60a Billings Rd. Originally a famous chain of rice roll food places in Guangzhou, CN with a few franchises in NYC and in other larger cities, including in Canada. This place has also had long waits, partly due to its small location. A sign out front still reads soft opening, and only offering dine in at the moment.
Menu is half rice roll, and half congee and a few noodle dishes. They do offer a dozen or so varieties, including the you zha gui (e.g. fried dough still wrapped in rice noodles) and foods common with congee. I’ve heard others their fried dough with rice wrapper is good there, but too much for me this time. Started simple with a fish congee, beef rice roll, and then hot store ground soy milk, no sugar.
Soy milk came in a bowl with spoon. A little awkward to slurp like soup when I was thirsty. Tasted good and as expected.
Fish congee was a bit bland. Likely not fresh fish which is disappointing, but their congee texture was good. This dish gets its flavor from the fresh fish, so this tasted like what I could make at home. Not bad, but not wow. Meh on the shredded lettuce they throw on top. Is this a GZ thing? I prefer scallions. I would order a more flavorful congee next time.
The rice roll – was good, but I like the dim sum beef version better. On the menu it’s clear it was a soy sauce beef roll, so it didn’t have the same soft, smooth texture with the hint of orange peel you find in dim sum beef rolls. If you like it salty and a bit chunkier, this will be up your alley. I will give props to the texture of their rice roll - it is slightly chewier and springier than the ones I’ve found even in very good dim sum parlors. Their dish only offers two, but they are large rolls.
Now operationally, they are kind of all over the place, and I hope they work out the kinks. They have a clip board and the procedure is to write your name down. Simple enough, except it’s not listed or called out anywhere that’s what you should do. Tons of people were waiting by the door with zero acknowledgment from the wait staff or even instructions to add your name to the list for a good 15-20 mins, as people waited. Put up a sign! Or take the 10 seconds to say, hey add your name to the list.
The place is not suited for big parties. Most tables are two seaters, and they’ll push them together for more, but the seating maxes at about 20-30 people, including the ‘bar’ with stools by the window.
There are two other rice roll places that have popped up in Quincy in recent years, so Yin Ji is late to the game, but I find their rice rolls to be pretty good and worth a try. Just avoid the crowds and give it a month or so, or go post-peak hours.
Apparently, Gerly’s ice cream over in Winter Hill Somerville, which was the newer incarnation of Tipping Cow, has closed for good. It’s unfortunate as I thought their flavors were really excellent.
I saw on a Somerville FB group that Kuya Jay’s Ube Cafe is already open in that spot and is a Filipino take out place.
Open! They are selling out daily and have lines most mornings. We made it over yesterday right at 8 when they unfortunately had a fire alarm going off continuously right at the register which they could not get turned off. It made discussion difficult. We grabbed a few pastries and left. Reviews of pastries were overall positive, but they had no GF option so I cannot really confirm. I had contributed to their kickstarter with especial zeal after the owner said they would have GF options, but apparently that only meant that they would have separate GF bread for the sandwiches and have salads available, not that they would bake anything GF. Hey, at least toss me a flourless brownie or a meringue, or an almond blueberry muffin a la 3 Little Figs. Also, their drip coffee from a pump carafe at the register is FIVE DOLLARS for a 12 oz fill of your own mug. This seems like highway robbery. Pastries were priced reasonably, so maybe this is a kink they will work out if people complain but it left a bitter taste in my mouth, especially as it was a fairly sour coffee not at all to my taste. (Those who prefer this kind of coffee tend to call it “fruity” but to me that’s a clue I won’t like it and it’s a lighter roast and also tasted weak.)
Seems especially unfortunate since you contributed to their kickstart.
Speaking of GF brownies, SALT in Newton Center has one, and they make a GF Brazillian “Pão de Queijo”. I haven’t tried either of these, but I’m a sucker for the rest of their pastries. The monkey bread, croissant, Kouign Amann are all great, and the focaccia is fabulous, if you can grab it; it often sells out. I know Newton Center is a bit of a schlep, but check it out if you are in the area.
Localito Cafe, @ 30 Riverside Av, Medford, MA, has opened in Medford Square.
Localito is primarily a coffee shop with some pastries and sandwiches. It is run by the same people who operate the Tenoch burrito/taco chain around Boston as well as the more-upscale restaurant El Tacuba in Medford Sq.
On the menu it’s clear it was a soy sauce beef roll, so it didn’t have the same soft, smooth texture with the hint of orange peel you find in dim sum beef rolls. If you like it salty and a bit chunkier, this will be up your alley. I will give props to the texture of their rice roll - it is slightly chewier and springier than the ones I’ve found even in very good dim sum parlors. Their dish only offers two, but they are large rolls.
